10 June, 2026
The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is focused on highlighting successful Land Claim outcomes from across the State to showcase how the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network is successfully utilising reclaimed Crown Land.
Crown Land holds significant cultural, spiritual and heritage value for Aboriginal Communities, while also providing opportunities for social, cultural and economic development.
NSWALC continues to oppose the NSW Government’s proposed Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026, which, if passed, would significantly weaken the Aboriginal Land Rights Act and undermine the current land rights framework that has delivered positive outcomes for Aboriginal communities for decades.
SUCCESS STORY: Tweed Byron LALC – Byron Bay Sandhills
One success story is the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council’s acquisition of 3.79 hectares of land within Byron Bay Sandhills precinct.
Achieved after 18 years of persistence and three years of collaborative negotiations, the outcome recognises long-standing Aboriginal Land Rights while creating opportunities for future social and economic development. It represents a significant step towards self-determination and long-term sustainability for the community.
The transferred land forms part of the broader 13-hectare Sandhills Estate near the Byron Bay CBD and includes the sites of the police station on Shirley Street and Fire and Rescue NSW on Kingsley Street, with the agreement contributing to a broader $28 million emergency services precinct project.
This outcome is particularly significant in the context of the Crown Land Management Amendment (Statutory Review) Bill 2026. While Aboriginal Land Claims are often portrayed as a threat to valued community assets, the Byron Bay Sandhills agreement demonstrates the opposite. It shows how recognising Aboriginal Land Rights can support community development while protecting essential services, strengthening local economies and delivering benefits for both Aboriginal communities and the broader public.
NSWALC NEEDS YOU
Showcasing success stories helps foster positive engagement for both NSWALC and the broader NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Network, while demonstrating to the NSW Government the significant work being undertaken by LALCs across the State.
These stories highlight the Network’s ongoing commitment to delivering tangible social, economic and cultural benefits for local Aboriginal Communities.
If you have a success story to share, please email your LALC’s details, a summary of your story, and the best spokesperson and contact this story to media@alc.org.au. Once submitted, the NSWALC media team will get in touch with the next steps to feature your story in the media, across socials and on the website.